Retail

DETROIT — General Motors executives on Monday chose a former Cadillac and Saab USA executive to fill the role as product marketing director for Buick. John Schwegman, U.S. marketing vice president for Buick GMC, appointed Roger McCormack to the role effective immediately. Most recently, McCormack had been U.S. vehicle marketing director for Cadillac. He had held […] [Read More]

TULSA, Okla. — Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group has seen a swell in franchising activity lately, as the company continues to expand both in the U.S. and abroad. Specifically, Dollar Thrifty reported Monday that in the past two quarters, it has granted 15 new franchises. Moreover, it has signed contracts with 13 additional franchises, and expects that […] [Read More]

DETROIT — A recent analysis by AOL Autos spotted some of the creative ways dealers use television commercials to bring in customers. While some dealers have turned to local sports heroes, others have gone to great lengths to leave quite an impression in just 30 seconds. "One of the smartest people I ever met in the car business […] [Read More]

CHERRY HILL, N.J. —  In a month where it saw especially strong increases in 2010 model-year Legacy and Outback sales, Subaru of America's Dallas region kept its perch as the best-selling region in March and enjoyed its ninth straight month of record sales, as well as its 11th straight month of year-over-year improvements. Specifically, the region's sales for March […] [Read More]

DETROIT — In the latest part of its rebuilding process, General Motors said this morning that it has finished fresh-start accounting. The automaker revealed it was filing its 2009 Form 10-Q and 2009 Form 10-K with the SEC today, as well. "We are building the foundation that will allow us to return to public ownership," stated […] [Read More]

BRUSSELS — The Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler AG have teamed up for a wide-ranging partnership that will include the companies cooperating on a number of projects and sharing best practices. Furthermore, the Renault-Nissan Alliance will take a 3.1-percent stake in Daimler. Meanwhile, Daimler will receive a 3.1-percent stake in Nissan and a 3.1-percent stake in Renault […] [Read More]

TORRANCE, Calif. — The complimentary two-year premium maintenance program for returning Toyota customers in March was apparently such a hit that the automaker has decided to expand this offering to all customers through May 3, in addition to extending other incentives. More specifically, the free maintenance program is available to all customers who purchase or lease […] [Read More]

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Hefty incentives helped drive March sales for import nameplates to a year-over-year increase of more than 27 percent, according to the American International Automobile Dealers Association.  Specifically, import brands combined to sell 607,383 vehicles during March, a 27.1-percent upswing compared to the same period of 2009. So far this year, import automakers' sales have […] [Read More]

NEW YORK — In an interesting approach to spur sales, three of Acura's five largest U.S. dealerships — all of which are located in proximity of New York and typically compete with one another — have teamed up for a joint promotion. Rallye Acura (located in Roslyn, N.Y.), Paragon Acura (Woodside, N.Y.) and Acura of Westchester (Larchmont, N.Y.) have […] [Read More]

WASHINGTON, D.C., and TORRANCE, Calif.  — The turmoil surrounding accelerators in recalled Toyota vehicles took another dramatic turn on Monday. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood made known plans to level a steep fine against the automaker. LaHood indicated that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is seeking the maximum civil penalty of $16.375 million against […] [Read More]